Improved Project Identification

Issue: Improved mechanisms need to be put in place to ensure funding is prioritised for infrastructure projects that will deliver maximum productivity benefits, rather than funds going to projects that are prioritised for political, sectional or geographic reasons.

ALC Position: ALC strongly believes that all major projects should undergo rigorous cost-benefit analysis before receiving public funding to test whether they are in Australia’s long-term economic interest. ALC welcomes the Coalition’s commitment to require all Commonwealth infrastructure expenditure exceeding $100 million to be subject to analysis by Infrastructure Australia to test cost-effectiveness and financial viability. The Coalition will also regularly publish cost-benefit analyses for all projects being considered for Commonwealth support or investment.